Blisters

[ScubaJW]

Can I still dive with a painful blister on way back of my tongue?

I was afraid maybe using air from the tank will hurt it.

 

[Wildcard]

I don't see why not? Does it hurt more with the regulator in? Try a little Anbesol on it.

 

[ScubaJW]

I don't see why not? Does it hurt more with the regulator in? Try a little Anbesol on it.

Letting you know, I am a newbie so I am not sure if I should dive or not. So, thanks for the info!

 

[Laurence Stein DDS]

First, DON"T KISS ME :11:

Next, if this indeed is some sort of "blister" or ulcer, there is probably no reason you can't dive. That being said, the back of the tongue is an unusual place to get a "blister". Have you dentist or ENT check it out.

You shouldn't dive if the problem compromises your ability to hold the regulator in your mouth. Also keep in mind that if you have some sort of viral infection, you won't want to share air with a buddy...it may be contagious.

Laurence Stein, DDS

 

[ScubaJW]

First, DON"T KISS ME :11:

Next, if this indeed is some sort of "blister" or ulcer, there is probably no reason you can't dive. That being said, the back of the tongue is an unusual place to get a "blister". Have you dentist or ENT check it out.

You shouldn't dive if the problem compromises your ability to hold the regulator in your mouth. Also keep in mind that if you have some sort of viral infection, you won't want to share air with a buddy...it may be contagious.

Laurence Stein, DDS

Dr. Stein, I think I know why I got the blisters from - that I spitted out mucus, probably because of allergies. My tongue got infected from spitting out mucus from my throat. Now it is improving greatly and I am able to move my tongue more than before.

Thanks!

 

[Laurence Stein DDS]

Dr. Stein, I think I know why I got the blisters from - that I spitted out mucus, probably because of allergies. My tongue got infected from spitting out mucus from my throat. Now it is improving greatly and I am able to move my tongue more than before.

Thanks!

Wildmtn,

Glad to hear you're feeling better. I've been practicing for 29 years now and have NEVER seen a patient who had an ulcer on the back of their tongue due to spitting out mucus.

I suspect that the mucus is not the cause but a coincidence. You may well have some sort of infection in the throat or respiratory tract.

It is possible for the posterior-lateral (back and side) to have tonsillar tissue called the lingual tonsil. If you were to get an infection of the nose, sinuses, throat, the infection may "drain" to this lymphatic tissue just like it does to normal tonsils. The net result may be a pustule and possible ulceration.

Picture of a lingual tonsil: http://www.library.vcu.edu/cfapps/t...e_oral.cfm?type=soft&display=long&startrow=24

Another possibility would be trauma from something like a fish bone becoming lodged in the posterior-dorsal portion of the tongue. You would potentially get an infection or a "foreign body response". Again, the final result could be an ulcer.

I'm not sure that going to a dentist or physician now would yield much. When the condition was more acute, a bacterial culture could have been taken to see if it was an infection and why type of germs were causing the problem.

You didn't say how old you were, but if you are an adult, older than about 30 or 35 and/or a tobacco user, I would have the doctor still look at the area. You would want to rule out the big C.

Should the problem recurs, see the doctor.

If you do have it evaluated, let me know what happened.

Regards,

Laurence Stein, DDS

 

[ScubaJW]

Wildmtn,

...You didn't say how old you were, but if you are an adult, older than about 30 or 35 and/or a tobacco user, I would have the doctor still look at the area. You would want to rule out the big C.

Should the problem recurs, see the doctor.

If you do have it evaluated, let me know what happened.

Regards,

Laurence Stein, DDS

Interesting, thanks a lot for your help. (Let you know that I am 22 and non-smoker.)

Have a safe ascent,
Jackie